2014 Ram 1500 to Offer Industry’s Only Light-duty Diesel Pickup

Diesel engines are offered in several full-size pickup models but only in heavy-duty, 3-quarter ton and 1-ton versions. Ram will be the first to offer a diesel in a light-duty pickup later this year when the 2014 Ram 1500 arrives. It will offer a new, 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine featuring 240 horsepower with 420 lb-ft of torque and a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain is expected to deliver an outstanding combination of best-in-class fuel efficiency, best-in-class torque and impressive capability.

“Truck owners have been emphatically asking for it, and Ram will be the only manufacturer to offer a diesel powertrain in the half-ton segment with the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO — Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The half-ton truck market is incredibly competitive, and although we’re honored the Ram 1500 has received a number of prestigious awards, we cannot rest on what we have accomplished, we must keep pushing.”

The 2013 Ram 1500 won Motor Trend’s 2013 Truck of the Year, The North American 2013 Truck of the Year and the 2013 Truck of Texas, which is a rare trifecta in the pickup segment. Building on the award-winning truck, the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel will further stretch its best-in-class fuel economy title lead and continue to raise the innovation bar in one of the automotive industry’s most customer-loyal segments.

“The Ram 1500 with the 3.0-litre V-6 turbo EcoDiesel and TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission will deliver on the demands of truckers by providing best-in-class torque, fuel economy and driving range. There’s no doubt that being the only truck manufacturer to offer this game changing technology will provide Ram with a competitive advantage.”

The new 3.0-litre V6 EcoDiesel is among today's most advanced diesel engines. Its emissions are 60 per cent less than those produced by the diesel powertrains of 25 years ago. The impressive combination of torque and fuel economy marks new levels of performance for small V6 engines. Equipped with a diesel oxidation catalyst, diesel particulate filter, and selective catalytic reduction, it will be emissions-compliant in all 50 states. The truck will also feature a cap-less fuel filler system for added convenience.